Method for the enhancement of lymphocyte activity against opportunistic microbial pathogens

Abstract

The invention relates to the treatment of an immunocompromised human, e.g., an AIDS or HIV positive patient, for the enhancement of lymphocyte activity against opportunistic microbial pathogens or the treatment of any human for the enhancement of lymphocyte activity against tumors using a lymphocyte-activity-enhancing amount of dextrofenfluramine or a pharmaceutically-acceptable acid addition salt thereof.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for the treatment of an immunocompromised human for the enhancement of lymphocyte activity against opportunistic microbial pathogens comprising the step of orally administering to a living immunocompromised human in need thereof a lymphocyte-activity-enhancing amount of dextrofenfluramine or a pharmaceutically-acceptable acid addition salt thereof, the dextrofenfluramine or pharmaceutically-acceptable acid addition salt thereof being administered in an amount which provides a plasma level of dextrofenfluramine and dextronorfenfluramine between about 1 and about 20 ng/ml. 
     
     
       2. A method of claim 1 wherein the dextrofenfluramine is orally administered together with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier or diluent. 
     
     
       3. A method of claim 1 wherein the dextrofenfluramine is administered in amount up to about 9 mg/day. 
     
     
       4. A method of claim 3 wherein the dosage of the dextrofenfluramine ranges from about 1 to about 9 mg per day. 
     
     
       5. A method of claim 1 wherein the human is immunocompromised by HIV positive. 
     
     
       6. A method of claim 5 wherein the human is an HIV positive human suffering from AIDS. 
     
     
       7. A method of claim 1 wherein the enhancement is the enhancement of the activity of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. 
     
     
       8. A method of claim 1 wherein the opportunistic microbial pathogen is a fungus. 
     
     
       9. A method of claim 8 wherein the opportunistic microbial pathogen is a Candida albicans fungus. 
     
     
       10. A method of claim 1 wherein the lymphocytes are activated by administration of a lymphocyte activator prior to administration of the dextrofenfluramine. 
     
     
       11. A method of claim 10 wherein the lymphocytes are activated by administration of IL-2 (interleukin-2).